Small electronic equipment can now also be collected and transported in accordance with the guidelines

Pallet pooling and production company Pooling Partners is the first in Europe to introduce a receptacle that complies with the latest requirements for transporting waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The new WEEE receptacle was recently put into use by the Belgian organisation Recupel, which is responsible for collecting and treating old electronic equipment for all of Belgium.

The European guidelines for the ‘transport of dangerous substances and articles’ were revised this year (ADR 2015). As a result, the bulk transport of WEEE products that contain lithium batteries is no longer permitted. Recupel recognised the need to change its collection and transport methods and initiated a project together with Pooling Partners to find a solution.

The new WEEE receptacle, which Pooling Partners developed in conjunction with Recupel, is the first receptacle suitable for the collection of small devices containing a lithium battery such as mobile telephones, tablets and small domestic equipment. Transparent plastic panels attached to the inside of the wooden frame prevent small parts from falling out, while still remaining visible. The simple, foldable box can be transported and stored compactly when empty. This translates into low transport and storage costs.

ADR 2015 applies to an increasing number of devices
Peter Sabbe, CEO of Recupel, explains that an increasing number of devices contain a lithium battery and must therefore satisfy the new guidelines. “Doing nothing is not an option. This solution combines compliance, practicality and cost-effectiveness.”

Ingrid Faber, CEO of Pooling Partners, says that while pilot trials have been carried out with the new WEEE receptacle elsewhere in Europe Belgium is the first country with a national solution that fully complies with the guidelines. “We expect other countries to follow shortly.” Faber is enthusiastic about the innovative partnership with Recupel. “We’ve worked together with Recupel on the WEEE receptacles for some time. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with them in the years to come.”